Self-esteem problems from an Adlerian perspective

Abstract

The concept of self-esteem is not defined explicitly by Adler, but great part of his work deals with the origins, development, problems and treatment of self-esteem problems, under different names and concepts: inferiority feelings and striving for superiority. In this article we present the concept of self-esteem from an Individual Psychology perspective as well as its confluence with other psychological procedures, especially with the contextual therapies of the third generation. We will also mention some aspects of the intervention with self-esteem problems and present a case to illustrate Adlerian intervention. It is concluded that from an Adlerian perspective, adaptive self-esteem implicates the esteem of oneself as well as the esteem of others in a context of cooperation in regard to the life tasks (social interest).